Example Introduction to Emmett Till Essay

The nation watched in horror as two planes crashed into the World Trade Center. We were glued to the TV sets not only because a tragic event had occurred, but also because we knew this event would alter the course of history. This was an event that would change us forever - an event so important, so impactful, that large decisions would be based off of it for years to come. This event, in other words, was pivotal. A pivotal event is one that is “of crucial importance in relation to the development of something else.” There were many moments that stand out as pivotal in the Civil Rights Movement. However, the murder of Emmett Till must surely rank as the most pivotal. Emmett Till’s murder sparked a movement that lasted for decades, and inspired great change - socially, economically, and politically. African Americans had been lynched before without causing a national outcry. There are many factors that contributed to making the murder of Emmett Till a pivotal moment in civil rights history, but the most significant factors that contributed to the impact of this event were the rise of the media, the aftermath of World War II, and the precedent of past civil rights actions.